Category Archives: SciFi

Starfinder, by John Marco, is the first novel in the Skylords trilogy.

Thirteen year old Moth has always dreamed of flying. And Rendor, his friend Fiona’s grandfather, also had the same dream and created flying ships to allow humans to take to the skies. Rendor has also been spouting on about the dangerous Skylords. Though, no one has ever seen them. And when Moth’s old friend passes along a secret, Moth must embark on the adventure of a lifetime.

When Room 59 hears about the Russians having a new nuclear submarine that could bring about another cold war, they assign a seemingly perfect man for the job. Jason Siku has Inuit blood, speaks fluent Russian, and has no family ties. His life is the job. Jason’s mission is to investigate the claim of the mysterious sub and destroy it if necessary.

In an alternate London, a monstrous being known as the Leviathan has made a pact with the royal family for the souls of their kingdom. The only hope for London lies with an unassuming file clerk named Henry Lamb. When his grandfather falls ill, Henry must take his place and is brought into a world of danger and intrigue.

Henry Lamb is told that his grandfather had worked for a secret organization called the Directorate. Their sole mission is to stop the Leviathan and protect London from the royal family’s evil secret. But other evil also stands in the way, in the form of two strange twins called the Domino Men.

I have been a loyal subscriber to the SciFi Magazine, the official magazine of the SciFi Channel, for many years. And I’ve noticed a trend in the “TV in Focus” section getting months behind for quite a while. But this latest issue (February of ’09) was the most disappointing of any issue they’ve ever put out. Because of content? No. I would have loved to have read this issue LAST FALL. Instead, this “February” issue gave us old TV and movie news on almost every single article. Stargate Atlantis is over. I would have loved to have read the behind-the-scenes look before the actual finale. The article mentions that it’s still weeks away. Articles on movies that have already come and gone are a waste. How about actual previews? Who wants to read old news?

I literally skimmed the entire magazine and threw it away. What a waste. I’m not sure who it is that’s so behind – The writers? The editors? The printers?

All I can say is that if the next issue is more of the same, I’ll be cancelling my subscription and sticking to online new sources.

Star Trek: A Singular Destiny follows the fallout from the events in the Star Trek: Destiny trilogy. The devastation from the Borg attacks encompasses the entire Federation and its allies. And as the Federation and Klingon Empire are stretched to their limits with refugee aide efforts, some are joining forces to take advantage. Professor Sonek Pran is asked to become an attaché for the Federation President, after years of being ignored. While on assignment aboard the Aventine, Pran begins to unravel a plot of sabotage and subterfuge that could mean disaster for the Federation.

I read a total of 144 books in 2008, a few less than last year actually. I blame it on adopting Lois Lane.

The number breakdown:

59 authors never read before.130 scifi/fantasy novels or graphic novels read.35 were young adult or children’s books.91 book reviews written.

8 movies received in 2008.315 books received in 2008.

127 titles received from Penguin Books (ACE, ROC, DAW, etc).
48 titles received from Pocket Books.
39 titles received from Hachette Books (Orbit).
22 titles received from Gold Eagle/Harlequin.
12 titles received from Abaddon Books.
11 titles received from Random House.
9 titles received from HarperCollins.
8 titles received from Mirrorstone Books.
7 titles received from Solaris Books.
6 titles received from Shadow Mountain Publishing.
4 titles received from IDW.
3 titles received from Tor/Forge.